Full Breakdown
Protests Over Ultra-Orthodox Draft Arrests Disrupt Jerusalem and Route 4
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Thursday, hundreds of Haredi demonstrators blocked the entrance to Jerusalem near the Chords Bridge and sealed a stretch of Route 4 near Bnei Brak. The protests were organized by the Jerusalem Faction, a hard-line ultra-Orthodox movement that opposes military conscription. Police deployed riot-control units, stun grenades, batons and mounted officers to clear the roadways, arresting participants deemed to be disturbing public order. The closures affected both northbound and southbound traffic between the Aluf Sadeh and Em HaMoshavot interchanges, creating severe congestion across the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
Background & Context
The demonstrations followed a series of arrests of yeshiva students and married religious scholars after Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that the blanket exemption for ultra-Orthodox men from conscription lacked legal basis. Subsequent enlistment orders prompted renewed police action against draft evaders, reigniting a long-standing dispute between the state and Haredi communities that argue military service threatens Torah study.
Official Statements & Responses
Police Commissioner Danny Levy instructed commanders to act decisively against road blockages and public disturbances. He emphasized the democratic right to protest while warning that “disturbing public order is not” “Protest is a right; disturbing public order is not,” — Danny Levy, police commissioner. The police spokesperson’s unit reiterated a “zero-tolerance” approach toward conduct that endangers safety or obstructs traffic, stating that officers would arrest those suspected of such offenses. Police also disputed claims that a protester had been struck by a vehicle, asserting that the individual had attached himself to the car voluntarily and that footage supported this account.
On-the-Ground Reports
Video footage captured officers using stun grenades and batons to disperse crowds on Highway 4 and at the Chords Bridge. A soldier’s vehicle became trapped in the blockade before being extracted. In Jerusalem, the L1 light-rail line was split into two sections and the L3 line shortened to mitigate disruptions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Protest is a right; disturbing public order is not,” — Danny Levy, police commissioner